October’s Ultimate bra-making Challenge was about being a Breast’s Friend. We asked you to create a bra or a prosthesis for someone who has survived breast conserving surgery. Many of you told us that even though you personally did not know anyone that you could sew for – you still wanted to give this a try. Good for you! This is a great skill to know, and I am thrilled that you stepped up on this one. In their own words, here are our Breast’s friend Challenge Entries. We thank you all!

Agi

This is my entry to the October Ultimate Bra-makers Challenge ‘Be a Breast’s Friend’: strapless Sweet Sixteen Bralette for my Mom. She had a partial mastectomy (Lumpectomy) in her right breast, so there is a difference in the volume of her breasts. When she was younger, the difference was more obvious, but now a two-layer foam breast form perfectly suits her. As she had other surgical scars on her back, she cannot wear shoulder straps. The cups are from cut and sew foam, very thin lining and a beautiful lace. I also used wire channeling under the cups and boning on the sides. She finds it very comfortable.

Anna

Here is my October Breast’s friend challenge. It is a Ingrid one, for a woman who had a mastectomy without breast reduction, but with a very sensitive scar. As it is under the breast, wires are prohibited, but she needs much support. I made Ingrid with some silk strips to hide the inside seams and make it softer on the skin. I feel the lace gives Ingrid a delicate look instead of a sport one.

Anne

I made a prosthesis with some bra foam I had from another project. It’s based on the Classic bra cup despite all the seams! I made it a seasonal cover just for fun. It fits nicely in my bra, but won’t see any use besides a cup filler or pin cushion. While making it, I wondered if anyone had tried making removable foam cup liners? I’m keen to give this idea a go, probably covering the foam edges with some FOE. Thanks for the challenge. It’s spurred some creative juices for something I can actually use!

Cassy

Another month is disappearing fast. I’ve completed the October challenge and hope to have time to make a Halloween bra too. I did a double mastectomy bra and made 2 breast forms using the blog posts on how to make both. Unfortunately, none of the men in my life were obliging enough to model the bra for pictures so I had to get creative with my ironing board 🙂

Desiree

Attached is my Breast’s friend Challenge Entry. I have no experience in sewing a mastectomy bra, but I gave it a try. Material is cotton tricot, no wires. Bra is made double with an opening in side seam for possible breast prosthesis.

Geniene

For this month’s challenge I made a mastectomy bra. I started with a basic bra pattern and used the tutorial on the Fairy Bra Mother’s blog, (How to Draft a mastectomy Pocket) to draft and sew the pocket for a breast form. The pocket is made from a super soft rayon jersey.

Jessica (staff)

This is my submission for the October Ultimate Bra-makers Challenge – a bra I made for my aunt who recently had a lumpectomy. She wanted a foam cup bra, and needed there to be a pocket on the left hand side to insert a foam pad. I used our blog tutorial “Foam Cup Pockets? Yes You Can!” to draft the pocket, and the Amelia Foam Cup Bra Pattern for the bra. The main fabric is Venice, with LS-63.8049 on the band and straps, platinum duoplex for the bridge and straps, and platinum findings with silver rings and sliders. The foam insert I used is the MC-18 Foam Push Up Pad a.k.a. “cookie”. My aunt was very happy with the fit and look, and overall it was much easier to construct than I expected!

Kathleen

My cousin, Kerry, a breast cancer survivor, opted for a lumpectomy, chose not to have reconstruction, and does not use a prosthesis. The BCD of her right breast is a full inch smaller than her left. She has only been able to wear uni-boob sports bras. She hates underwires, so I thought Ingrid was the best option. Her favorite color is jade green. I hope this Ingrid pattern fits, but if it doesn’t, Kerry tells me she has a special shelf and she will display it! FYI: It is possible to rip out the lightning stitch on lace — twice!

Laura

Here are 4 photos of a grey and black cherry coloured mastectomy bra, and breast prosthesis, that I made for my mother. As my mother lives over 3 hours away from me I don’t have images of the finished bra, I left the casings open at the underarm so Mom could decide if she wanted to have underwires or not. The bra is based on the Classic bra, but I shortened the back band, widened the bridge, rounded the apex and split the lower cup. I also added lace so that it would be pretty. The prosthesis is based off the cup that I drafted. I used the tutorial on the website, thanks so much for that! I hope that it fits as I have another black cherry bra cut for her, but haven’t had a chance to sew it yet. I wanted to get this one in the mail before the Canada Post strikes begin. I’ve only been sewing bras since September, I’ve made several for myself, but this is my first go at making one for someone else. I hope that it fits and that she likes it!

Laura (second bra)

Laura also made a second bra for her mom!

Lorraine

Attached is my entry for breast cancer month challenge. I’ve been watching the classes on Craftsy and thought a butterfly on a bra for a client would be nice. The bra has pockets inside for the prosthesis to go in.

Michelle

Here are the forms I made for Breast’s friend month. They’re similar to forms a family member bought and uses. These are cotton Lycra, with bean bag beads inside.

Sonia

Here are my entries for October Ultimate Bra-makers Challenge. I made a lacy mastectomy bra. Unfortunately the lace could not be mirror but it gave a good result anyway. I also made a matching panty because, well… how does anyone not like matching panties?

Virginia

My October entry is a Sweet Sixteen bralette made from fire-engine red bamboo knit stretch rayon. Additional support comes from white sheer cup lining in the cups and front band, as well as power net in the back band. Access to the flat panel pocket is from the underarm edge. A faux camisole insert made from spider web stretch lace addresses concerns about giving a view of surgical scars high on the thorax and of the prosthesis when bending forward. PS. Thanks for the tip to starch bamboo knit before cutting. Worked like a charm.